Olivier Giroud lost his cool yesterday against Queens Park Rangers, and nearly cost his team three points.
[ RECAP: Arsenal 2-1 Queens Park Rangers ]
The striker was sent off in the 53rd minute after head-butting QPR defender Nedum Onuoha, leaving referee Martin Atkinson no choice but to show straight red.
Although the contact made was not particularly malicious and Onuoha may have helped his cause by falling rather easily, manager Arsene Wenger said Giroud deserved to be sent to the locker room.
[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]It was a deserved red card. Madness is a strong word - he didn’t kill him. But he touched him and should not have done it.
Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again.
He told me he was pushed in the back and that projected him into the keeper.Maybe because the injury he had it plays a part in his mind and he doesn’t want to be injured again. Usually he’s a guy who’s in control of his response.”
Despite going up 2-0 after being forced to ten-men, QPR fought back and cut the Gunners’ lead to one after Charlie Austin converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute. For the final ten minutes, the R’s pressured the weakened Arsenal side and nearly earned their first points away from Loftus Road this season.
[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]
Although Giroud did not cost his team any points yesterday, he will now be suspended for the Gunners’ next three matches, including vital clashes with West Ham and Southampton, the two teams sitting directly ahead of Arsenal on the table.
